Hezbollah supporters torch UN vehicle near Beirut airport

Tensions escalated near Beirut’s international airport Friday night when protesters torched a United Nations peacekeeping vehicle, marking the second consecutive day of demonstrations by Hezbollah supporters over blocked Iranian flights.

The Lebanese army responded to the incident by deploying troops to the area, where they found the burned vehicle abandoned by the roadside. The protests have centered on a recent decision preventing two Iranian planes from landing at the airport.

UNIFIL released an official statement condemning the attack.

In response to the escalating situation, the Lebanese military promised swift action against those responsible for the violence. “Several areas, particularly the area around the airport, have been the scene of demonstrations marked by acts of vandalism and clashes,” the army stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Military officials noted that the unrest has included “assaults on members of the armed forces and attacks against vehicles” belonging to the United Nations. The army emphasized it would take “firm action to prevent any breach of public order and arrest troublemakers.”